What “Type” of College Should You Pick?

Ever wonder what the difference between a College and a University is? What about Public or Private institutions? Here’s a little summary that we typically review with new clients who are in the process of determining the best college fit for themselves. If this helps you please leave a comment. If you have any questions you would like to have answered please leave it on the contact form.

Types of Colleges

Public

Also known as “State Schools”. These school receive public funding from state and federal governments. The tuition is usually lower than that of a private college. Students who live “In-State” receive a tuition discount.

There are 14 “State Schools” in Pennsylvania.

Local Examples include:

Millersville, Kutztown, and Lock Haven University.

Private

Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, and donations for their funding. Private schools are usually more expensive than State schools, however “Endowments and donations allow them to grant significant financial aid packages. Because of this there are occasions where a Private school with a higher tuition may end up costing you less than a State school with a lower price tag.

There are over 100 private colleges in Pennsylvania alone. With several ranking among the nations “Best” Colleges.

Local Examples include:

Ursinus, Messiah, West Chester, and Alvernia

Community colleges

Community Colleges offer two-year associate degrees that prepare you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree. They also offer other associate degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a certain career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition. Community colleges are a good financial choice if you don’t have your heart set on the “Typical” four year college experience, if you would like to commute, or if your high school grades were not high enough to get into a four year college right away. Many students elect to attend a Community College to take their general requirements, and then transfer to a four year school. You must be very careful to make sure all of your credits are transferable, and match the Gen Ed requirements of the four year school of your choice.

Liberal Arts Colleges

A Strong LIberal arts college is a good choice if you are not 100% certain of your major, or future career goals. A liberal arts education is considered to be “Well Rounded”, meaning that while selecting a major you are also being education in “General Educational Requirements”. For instance; even if you want to study Art; you ,most likely, will still have to take a foreign language class, and a history, or religion requirement. “General Education Requirements” vary from school to school. Many schools with a religious affiliation require more biblical studies than schools that have more of a liberal reputation.

These colleges offer a broad base of courses in the liberal arts, which includes areas such as literature, history, languages, mathematics and life sciences. Most are private and offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.

These colleges offer a broad base of courses in the liberal arts, which includes areas such as literature, history, languages, mathematics and life sciences. Most are private and offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.

Four-year colleges offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree. These include universities and liberal arts colleges.

Two-year colleges offer programs that last up to two years that lead to a certificate or an associate degree. These include community colleges, vocational-technical colleges and career colleges

Universities

Universities often are larger and offer more majors and degree options—bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees—than colleges. Most universities contain several smaller colleges, such as colleges of liberal arts, engineering or health sciences. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study. Admission procedures are typically the same for Universities and Colleges.